DEM: Expect dangerous rip currents, high surf

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. — The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) advises the public to use caution along shoreline areas this weekend due to anticipated rip currents and high surf generated by Hurricane Florence.

Rhode Island state beaches closed for the season on Labor Day and are not staffed with lifeguards or rangers.

Although Hurricane Florence is projected to remain well offshore of New England, the National Weather Service is forecasting that it will bring large swells and dangerous rip currents to ocean-exposed south-facing shorelines over the next several days. Breakers ranging from 8 feet to 12 feet high are expected in Rhode Island Sound and Block Island Sound.

Storm-generated waves attract onlookers. Some “storm watchers” put themselves in danger by standing too close to the surf on rocks along the shoreline in fishing areas, breakwalls, and breachways. DEM urges Rhode Islanders to stay safe by remaining far away from areas where waves might splash over. Individual waves may be more than twice the average wave height. They possess enormous force and can easily sweep a person into the water from what seems to be a safe viewing area. In addition, swells entering some inlets and harbor entrances could cause difficult navigation for operators of small craft.

The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) – which leads the state’s efforts to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters – advises Rhode Islanders not to go in the water.

Portsmouth Firefighters (Car 2, Engine 1, Engine 3 & Tower Ladder 1) were called to One Little Harbor Landing on Sunday around 19:15 for the report of a small fire. On arrival the firefighters found a fast moving fire in a storage area and made a quick knockdown with in minutes of arrival. Mutual aid was received from Tiverton Fire, Navy Fire, and the State Fire Marshal, who responded to assist with determining the cause of the fire. While covering Portsmouth, Tiverton Car 3 & Tiverton Engine 3 responded to multiple calls including the report of a fire in Common Fence Point called in from Bristol. Navy Fire responded to an EMS call and transported a patient to Newport ER. Thank you to our mutual aid departments and the good samaritan who called in the fire.